Galatians Series - Setting of Galatians - Roman Province, Gentile Audience - Straight Talk from Paul - Hard words, confronting issues - So Far - authority, clarity on Gospel - problem with Judaizers - promise and the law
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one. Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
1. Expose the Problem a) We are all Transgressors - vs. 19,22 - law reveals God s standards - Rom. 4:15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. - Rom 5:20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more
- law revealed we all fall short - covet, lust, lie, unfaithful, etc - law shows my trend towards rebellion b) turns the invisible into visible - where before I might: - ignore my motives and heart - compare myself to others - focus on my intentions and efforts - law of God reveals the truth - I am not able to live up to this
c) reveals my position - Rom. 7:14-15 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. - difference between a diagnosis and a cure
2. Point to the Solution - vs. 19,22,23 Jesus a) God doing what we could not - Rom 8:3-4 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
b) The Need for a New Heart - pointed to from beginning - Duet. 29:3-4 With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders. 4 But to this day the LORD has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear.
- Deut 31:26-27 Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God. There it will remain as a witness against you. 27 For I know how rebellious and stiffnecked you are. If you have been rebellious against the LORD while I am still alive and with you, how much more will you rebel after I die! - exposed their rebellion and inability to keep their end of the covenant
c) the promise of a new heart - Deut 30:6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live - Jer. 31:33 This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the LORD. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
- Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. -Romans 8:4 And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
3. Law Provides Context 23-24 - react to the law 2 ways a) reject it live according to self - self reliant, personal morality b) embrace it live legalistic lives - zealous, religious, rules to be kept - not out of desire but obligation - both roads are a form of bondage, and do not deal with the diagnosis
c) Accepting God s cure by faith - allowing God to grant a new heart, and live according to new desires his - humility cannot do for myself - repentance confession of our sin - acceptance of God s provision - belief in Jesus work, God s forgiveness - new heart living Spirit of God in you *living according to law written on your new heart!
So What 1. Diagnosis is Correct - all have sinned and fall short - none of us meets God s standard 2. Cure is Offered - God took action on your behalf - Christ died for your sin - We are invited to have new hearts 3. We Can see the Test results with Praise